Leedswere
nearly brought down to earth by FourthDivisionSwanseaTown in the Third Round of the FA Cup at
Elland Road. What should have been an afternoon
stroll for United’s International stars turned out to
be a desperate dash to victory against the gallant Fourth Division side from Wales. They trailed 1-0 to a David Gwyther goal, but with thirty minutes left Swansea central
defender Mel Nurse was sent off after clashing with Allan Clarke and United
squeezed home against the ten-man opposition with a penalty from Johnny Giles
and a header from Mick Jones.

The key to the game came on
the hour, when Swansea, deservedly leading 1-0, had centre-half Mel
Nurse sent off. Facing ten men for the final thirty minutes, United squeezed
home, but even then they had to rely upon a penalty to stir them into action.

In the summer Leeds, the Football League Champions, had
added the striking skills of LeicesterCity goal poacher Allan Clarke for a
British record fee of £165,000. But he and the rest of his Unitedcollegues were constantly repelled by the bustling Swansea defenders. The costly Clarke missed
two chances he would normally have taken with aplomb, whilst at the other end Herbie Williams also failed to cash in on three opportunities
as the Uniteddefence
struggled to get their act together.

The Swans moved gracefully
into a twenty-fourth minute lead when Williams clipped a pass through Paul Madeley’s legs and Brian Evans turned and shot. Although
Gary Sprake did well to block it, the ball ran to
David Gwyther, who accepted the simple chance.

With United
struggling, one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all times was on the cards
until the game reached the hour mark. There was a tussle between Clarke and
Nurse which ended in the Swansea defender flattening the United striker. After consulting with his linesman Referee
Danny Corbett ordered Nurse to the dressing-rooms. United cashed in on Nurse’s
moment of madness and drew level ten minutes later after David Lawrence had
handled. Gradually Swansea’s resistance crumbled and twelve
minutes from time there was no Nurse aroundto
take care of Mick Jones, who, unmarked, headed in a Terry Cooper corner. United
were indebted to their keeper, as Gary Sprake broke
the hearts of his home town club and supporters when he saved from the Swansea striker Evans in the final minute.

Swansea achieved promotion that season,
finishing third.

Match Action:

Mick Jones scores the winner with Billy Bremner ready to make sure

Teams:

Leeds United 1969-70: With Football League Championship Trophy won in
1968-69.